Growth in timber exports from Brazil

Recent data on the Brazilian timber industry reveals that exports of timber products from the country (excluding pulp and paper) were at US$206 million in June, up a healthy 19 per cent on the previous year.

During the same period, exports of tropical sawnwood fell in both volume and value terms, however, to 38,500 cu.m and US$17.9 million, a decrease of 4.7 per cent in volume and 3.8 per cent in value terms on 2009.

Exports of tropical plywood also decreased on 2009 – 21 per cent in volume terms and 16 per cent in value terms. However, pine plywood exports were extremely strong, soaring by a massive 109.8 per cent in value terms in June 2010 (US$37 million) and by 36 per cent in volume terms (97,600 cu.m).

The value of exports for wooden furniture was also very healthy in June, rising to US$47 million, an increase of 10.5 per cent on June 2009.

According to the Brazilian Furniture Industry Association, (ABIMÓVEL) the reduction in tax on industrial products from 10 per cent to five per cent has encouraged the furniture sector. It is expected that the tax reduction will generate a 10 per cent growth in the sector this year.